How many of you had to cancel, reschedule or are still left hanging like these two adorable sloths regarding your trip to Costa Rica?
On AUGUST 1 Costa Rica will open its airports for tourists from Canada, the UK and European Union ONLY. Anyone traveling to Costa Rica will need to produce a negative coronavirus test within 48 hours of arrving in Costa Rica–good luck with that–and you’ll need to purchase traveler’s insurance as well as fill out an epidemiology survey. Please think very carefully about your trip. Coronavirus numbers are very high in Costa Rica now and hospitals are overwhelmed. I personally do NOT recommend traveling at this time.
I will update with information as it becomes available.
Anyway, I can totally sympathize with your situation. It’s frustrating and disappointing, but as they say–it is what it is.
So, when are you going to be able to go back to Costa Rica? And what can you do in the meantime?
What’s Happening in Costa Rica Now
Costa Rica had done remarkably well in keeping coronavirus at bay, but unfortunately they could only hold it back for so long. Now with a resurgence in the northern part of the country, due in large part to illegals from Nicaragua (that refuses to acknowledge, test or count cases of COVID-19) daily numbers are higher than they’ve been since the onset of the pandemic.
Costa Rica has been forced to go back to driving restrictions and has had to put the next phase of reopening on hold.
Beginning Saturday, June 27th, the use of face masks will be mandatory in most places.
What This Means for Visitors
Costa Rica has announced their border will reopen for tourism August 1, 2020, but for only Canada, the UK and EU, as I mentioned above AND with very limited flights to start out. The borders of Nicaragua and Panama will remain closed.
Costa Rica is taking their border opening very seriously, as they well should. Tourism is not allowed from countries that have large, or uncontrolled, coronavirus numbers and that obviously includes the United States.
Canceling or Rescheduling Your Flight
If you’ve got a flight coming up that you want to cancel or reschedule, my best advice is to take a little time to check your airline’s website page before you do anything. They should have all the information you need about rescheduling or canceling a flight, and you may be able to do what you need without even picking up the phone.
I almost always fly with Delta, through Atlanta, and was able to reschedule the first time I had to cancel, and the second time received an e-credit until 2022. All in all I spent over five hours on hold for the two calls, but at least it’s straightened out.
Most airlines are issuing vouchers for whatever trip that gets canceled, whether you cancel it yourself now or up to a couple of days before you were scheduled to leave.
I urge you to go to your airline’s website first and see what’s what.
You may want to go with an e-credit or voucher until we know more about who will be allowed in, then reschedule your trip.
Promoting Domestic Tourism
Presently, Costa Rica is also planning to promote domestic tourism. Tourism, of course, is a HUGE part of Costa Rica’s economy and they are suffering now, in a big way. Domestic tourism may help to alleviate a small fraction of that, but realistically speaking, many Ticos (not to mention North Americans) would have a hard time swinging a week in an all-inclusive resort.
Most Costa Ricans have already been enjoying their own resources such as national parks, beaches and restaurants, but the reality is, many have been laid off. A lot of people are without work. Businesses have closed all over the country. This won’t be sustainable for long.
The only thin silver lining to this situation is that having zero tourists gives Costa Rica a chance to rest and reset. It gives Costa Rica a chance to just be Costa Rica for a while. From an environmental standpoint, it’s a breather. As much as I want to be there, I want Costa Ricans to be safe, and this is how it must happen.
What Can You Do Now?
For those of you like me that are missing Costa Rica now, you can do something that will make you feel amazing–you can donate to one or more organizations all over the country. Check out Amigos of Costa Rica and look at the different causes you can help with. You can donate in areas of conservation, medical help, animals and wildlife and of course, people. Pick your favorite area and go for it.
Were you planning on visiting those cuddly sloths when you go to Costa Rica? Here’s an idea: show a sloth some love by donating. You can help a sloth right from the comfort of your own home by donating to, or even adopting, a sloth! Check out the Sloth Sanctuary near Cahuita to find out how. Another great place to donate to is the Toucan Rescue Ranch , where they care for other kinds of animals, too. By visiting their website, you can sign up for an online virtual tour! How cool is that?!
Just because tourism stopped doesn’t mean these cute little creatures have stopped needing care, in fact, they need it now more than ever. When this is over and you finally get to Costa Rica, you can go see your furry and feathered friends in person knowing you reached out and gave them a helping hand.
How to Help Costa Rica When You Can Go Back
When you’re able to return to Costa Rica, there are many small but important things you can do to help the country. They may seem insignificant, but they’re not and they’ll help a lot. Here’s what I mean:
EAT LOCAL. Whenever you travel to Costa Rica, choose mom & pop places and sodas to eat at. You’ll get a home-cooked meal that’s 100% authentic Costa Rican food, it’s delicious and it’s cheap. Best of all, you’re supporting local families.
BUY LOCAL. If you’re making a supermarket run for a beach trip, hotel snacks or just because you love supermarkets and are curious like me, buy Costa Rican products! Yeah, you can find snacks from home but in Costa Rica, they’re imported, expensive and you can eat them when you get back home. Instead, choose Costa Rican snacks and look for rustic baked goods that are sold inside grocery stores. Stop by a Costa Rican bakery or cafe and buy something wonderful. Even if you don’t speak Spanish you shouldn’t have trouble ordering.
DONATE SOME MORE! Look for ways to donate while you’re in Costa Rica. You might find collection areas for local non-profits, and the airport has them, too. When you leave, putting your spare colones and (heavy) change in a donation box is a perfect way to wrap up your trip.
DONATE YOUR TIME. If you love traveling to and from Costa Rica, consider donating your time to a good cause such as an animal sanctuary like the Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary that was visited by YouTube survivalist Coyote Peterson. You can also teach English or even do some medical volunteering. All these opportunities are yours for the taking, you’ve just got to look for them.
Tell Me Your Story
If you had a trip booked to Costa Rica that got canceled, tell me about it in the comments below. Were you able to reschedule? What are you interested in doing in Costa Rica?
Hopefully the cases in Costa Rica start to drop soon and we can begin to see some sort of normalcy again, though I don’t know how “normal” things will be for a while. Even in my small hometown with things slowly opening back up, things are anything but normal.
We just need to take it one day at a time. Stay safe, friends.